Compensating position roof ditch molding retainer

ABSTRACT

A retainer adapted for disposition within a vehicle roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall to hold an elongate molding strip in covering relation to the vehicle roof ditch. The retainer includes at least one body portion adapted for disposition within the roof ditch in operative connection to a base portion of the roof ditch. The body portion has a length dimension adapted for orientation along a length segment of the roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The body portion includes an arrangement of molding attachment elements adapted to engage an underside of the elongate molding strip and at least one spring biasing leg disposed at an elevation below the molding attachment elements, which extends an operative length away from one side of the body portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present non-provisional United States Patent Application claims thebenefits of U.S. Provisional Application 61/059,574 filed Jun. 6, 2008,the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a fastening system adapted tofacilitate attachment and retention of a molding strip across a roofditch depression disposed between a roof panel and a body side panel ofa vehicle. The invention is more particularly directed to a fasteningsystem incorporating structures adapted to urge a retained molding stripgenerally towards a preselected side of the roof ditch depression tomaintain proper orientation of the molding strip. The fastening systemmay incorporate a one-piece or a multi-piece retainer adapted forriveted or other connection at a base of a roof ditch depression.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the construction of automobiles or other transportation vehiclesthere is often an elongate depression formed at the interface betweenthe roof panel and the adjacent body side panel. This depression iscommonly referred to as a “roof ditch.” These roof ditches are typicallycovered by placing a molding strip within the depression to at leastpartially span the distance between the roof panel and the body sidepanel. The molding strip is held in place by a retainer element whichinterfaces with the molding and which is secured to the base of theditch.

The roof ditch may have a degree of variation along its length. Thisvariation may be in both depth and in width. The molding stripstypically include a flexible edge that conforms to the opposing sidewallof the roof ditch. However, due to the flexible nature of the moldingstrip edge material, the molding strip may nonetheless shift in thedirection transverse to the sidewalls. In an extreme case, a gap mayopen up between the molding strip and an opposing sidewall of the roofditch. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a moldingattachment system that promotes proper placement and retainedorientation of the molding strip within the roof ditch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides advantages and alternatives over theprior art by providing retainer elements adapted for operativeattachment to the base of a roof ditch and which engage an overlyingmolding strip. The retainer elements selectively urge the molding stripgenerally towards a preselected side of the roof ditch depression so asto automatically compensate for variations in initial placement and/orroof ditch width. The retainer elements may also compensate forvariations in roof ditch depth. The retainer elements may be ofmulti-piece or single piece construction.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a retaineradapted for disposition within a vehicle roof ditch between a firstsidewall and a second sidewall to hold an elongate molding strip incovering relation to the vehicle roof ditch. The retainer includes atleast one body portion adapted for disposition within the roof ditch inoperative connection to a base portion of the roof ditch. The bodyportion has a length dimension adapted for orientation along a lengthsegment of the roof ditch between a first sidewall and a secondsidewall. The body portion includes an arrangement of molding attachmentelements adapted to engage an underside of the elongate molding strip.The body portion further includes at least one spring biasing legdisposed at an elevation below the molding attachment elements, thespring biasing leg extends an operative length away from one side of thebody portion for contacting, flexing relation with the first sidewall.The spring biasing leg continuously urges the body portion away from thefirst sidewall and towards the second sidewall.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides amulti-piece retainer adapted for disposition within a vehicle roof ditchbetween a first sidewall and a second sidewall to hold an elongatemolding strip in covering relation to the roof ditch. The retainerincludes a base attachment element adapted for operative attachment to abase portion of the roof ditch. The base attachment element includes atleast one male attachment member projecting upwardly from the baseattachment element in a direction away from the base portion of the roofditch. The retainer further includes a strip attachment element adaptedfor operative attachment to an underside of the elongate molding strip.The strip attachment element includes at least one window openingadapted to receive the male attachment member in snap-fit relation. Thestrip attachment element includes an arrangement of molding attachmentelements adapted to engage an underside of the elongate molding strip.The strip attachment element further includes at least one springbiasing leg disposed at an elevation below the molding attachmentelements. The spring biasing leg extends an operative length away fromone side of the strip attachment element for contacting, flexingrelation with the first sidewall. The spring biasing leg continuouslyurges the strip attachment element away from the first sidewall andtowards the second sidewall. The multi-piece retainer also facilitatescontrolled insertion and removal of the individual pieces withoutreliance on build variation and burr conditions of a molded stripopening. This may aid in insertion and subsequent servicing.

According to still another aspect, the present invention provides asingle-piece retainer adapted for disposition within a vehicle roofditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall to hold an elongatemolding strip in covering relation to the vehicle roof ditch. Theretainer includes a body portion disposed within the roof ditch andoperatively attached to a base portion of the roof ditch. The bodyportion is of unitary construction and has a length dimension adaptedfor orientation along a length segment of the roof ditch between thefirst sidewall and the second sidewall. The body portion includes anarrangement of molding attachment elements adapted to engage anunderside of the elongate molding strip in snap-fit relation. The bodyportion further includes at least one spring biasing leg disposed at anelevation below the molding attachment elements. The spring biasing legextends an operative length away from one side of the body portion forcontacting, flexing relation with the first sidewall. The spring biasingleg continuously urges the body portion away from the first sidewall andtowards the second sidewall.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon review of the following detaileddescription, claims and drawings in which like numbers are used todesignate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cut-away schematic view of one exemplary embodiment of amolding retainer engaging a molding strip within a roof ditch;

FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the molding retainer and moldingstrip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation perspective view of a male base portion of themolding retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation perspective view of a female molding engagementportion of the molding retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an elevation perspective view of an exemplary single-piecemolding retainer in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an elevation plan view of the single-piece molding retainer ofFIG. 5.

Before the embodiments of the intention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of“including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompassthe items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like elements aredesignated by like reference numerals in the various views. FIG. 1illustrates a roof ditch 10 formed at the intersection of a vehicle roofpanel 12 and side panel 14. In this regard, the roof ditch 10 willtypically substantially along the roof line of the vehicle. In theillustrated arrangement, the roof ditch 10 has a depressedcross-sectional profile including an inboard sidewall 16 and an outboardsidewall 18. The inboard sidewall 16 and the outboard sidewall 18typically are formed from steel sheet stock or other suitable structuralmaterial. The roof ditch 10 also includes a base 20 formed by theoverlapping relation of the sheet materials making up the inboardsidewall 16 and the outboard sidewall 18.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, a molding strip 22 extendssubstantially along the length of the roof ditch 10. The width dimensionof the molding strip 22 extends between the inboard sidewall 16 and theoutboard sidewall 18 so as to substantially cover the underlyinginterior of the roof ditch 10. As best illustrated through jointreference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the molding strip 22 includes a pliablelateral edge flap 24 extending along one lateral edge and an outwardlyprojecting lateral rib 26 running along the opposing lateral edge. Inuse, the lateral edge flap is disposed in deformed conforming relationagainst one of the sidewalls while the lateral rib 26 is disposed inabutting relation against the opposing sidewall. By way of example only,in the illustrated arrangement, the pliable lateral edge 24 is disposedagainst the inboard sidewall 16 with the lateral rib 26 abutting againstthe outboard sidewall 18. However, this relationship can be reversed ifdesired. Moreover, the construction of the molding strip may take on anyalternative configuration as may be desired and useful.

In the illustrated arrangement, the molding strip 22 is secured in placeacross the roof ditch 10 by a retainer 30 held by a rivet 32 or otherattachment mechanism at the base 20. Referring jointly to FIGS. 1-4, inthe exemplary construction the retainer 30 is multi-piece constructionincluding a base attachment element 34 adapted to be held at the base 20of the roof ditch 10 and a strip attachment element 36 adapted forsnap-in attachment across the underside of the molding strip 22. Asseen, the base attachment element 34 and the strip attachment element 36each have a length dimension adapted to extend in aligned relation alonga length segment of the roof ditch 10. The base attachment element 34and the strip attachment element 36 also have a width dimension adaptedto extend at least partially across the width of the roof ditch. In theillustrated construction, the base attachment element 34 and the stripattachment element 36 are adapted to be snapped together during finalassembly. The base attachment element 34 and the strip attachmentelement 36 may be formed of materials such as molded plastic or thelike, although other materials of construction may likewise be utilizedif desired.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1-3, in the exemplary constructionthe strip attachment element 36 includes a pair of outwardly extendingcurved projections 38 defining diverging partial arcs. As shown, theproximal ends of the curved projections are spaced apart from oneanother at positions along a first lateral edge 40 of the stripattachment element. The curved projections 38 extend away from the firstlateral edge along generally opposing paths such that distal ends of thecurved projections project generally away from one another towardsopposite ends of the strip attachment element to form a so called “bullhorn” configuration.

In the exemplary construction, a pair of edge projections 42 havingdownwardly angled upper surfaces extend away from a second lateral edge44 in generally opposing relation to the first lateral edge 40. Inassembly, the curved projections 38 are placed in position against aninterior edge of the molding strip 22. In this state, the curvedprojections can be compressed as the opposing edge of the molding strip22 is pushed in a snap-fit relation over the edge projections 42.Thereafter, the outward biasing spring action of the curved projectionsacts to hold the strip attachment element 36 in place relative to themolding strip 22.

In the illustrated arrangement, a downwardly extending hook tab 46 isdisposed between the proximal ends of the curved projections 38. Thehook tab 46 may fit into a cooperating engagement slot in the moldingstrip 22 disposed at a pre-defined position along the length of themolding strip 22 to facilitate proper longitudinal placement of theretainer. In addition to the hook tab 46, the exemplary strip attachmentelement 36 also includes an arrangement of anti-rotation tabs 48 are atan elevation below the curved projections 38 and the hook tab 46. Theanti-rotation tabs 48 aid in preventing rotation within the roof ditchfollowing insertion. In the exemplary construction, the strip attachmentelement 36 also includes an outwardly projecting platform element 50disposed at a position generally below and between the edge projections42. As best seen in FIG. 1, the platform element 50 defines a stopsurface for the molding strip 22. The platform element 50 also providesunderlying support for the pliable lateral edge flap 24 when the edgeflap is folded against the opposing sidewall.

As shown, the exemplary construction of the strip attachment element 36also includes a pair of spring biasing legs 52 extending away from oneside. In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, the spring biasing legs52 are in the form of extended leaf springs having upwardly angleddistal edges to facilitate upward bending. However, other bendableconstructions such as extended rods or the like may be used if desired.As shown, upon insertion into the roof ditch 10, the spring biasing legsare compressed against an opposing sidewall of the roof ditch 10 at aposition below the pliable lateral edge 24 of the molding strip 22. Inthis condition, the spring biasing legs 52 urge the molding strip 22 ina direction such that the lateral rib 26 is pressed against the opposingsidewall. This biasing action aids in compensating for variations in thewidth of the roof ditch. Importantly, it is to be understood that whileFIG. 1 illustrates the spring biasing legs 52 as pushing against theinboard sidewall 16 so as to urge the molding strip 22 towards the sidepanel 14, the arrangement may likewise be reversed if desired such thatthe spring biasing legs 52 push against the outboard sidewall 18 so asto urge the molding strip 22 towards the roof 12.

As noted previously, the two-piece retainer 30 illustrated in FIG. 1also includes a base attachment element 34 adapted for placement at thebase 20 of the roof ditch 10. As may be seen through joint reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the base attachment element 34 may be secured in placeby a rivet 32 that extends through an acceptance opening 54 in the inthe base attachment element 34 and an aligned opening in the base 20. Aportion of the rivet 32 is expanded to form a sealing button 56 belowthe base 20 in a manner as will be well known to those of skill in theart. In the illustrated arrangement, a seal 58 of rubber or the like maybe positioned between the base attachment element 34 and the base 20 toaid in preventing intrusion of noise, dust, water and/or vapors.

As shown, the base attachment element 34 includes a pair of inwardlycompressible male attachment towers 60. The attachment towers 60 includea compression gap 62 which permits the attachment towers to compressinwardly slightly towards a central axis when pressure is applied. Inthe assembly process, the attachment towers 60 are pushed throughaligned window openings 64. The window openings include reduced shelfshoulder portions 66 that compress angled wing portions 68 inwardlytowards a central axis during insertion. While only a single angled wingportion is shown on each attachment tower, according to one potentiallydesirable arrangement, a corresponding wing portion also is disposedacross the opposing surface which is not shown. However, it is likewisecontemplated that the attachment towers 60 may each include a singleangled wing portion if desired. In a construction wherein the attachmenttowers 60 include single wing portions, the wing portions may projectgenerally towards one another from opposing surfaces of the towersfacing generally inwardly towards the acceptance opening 54.Alternatively, the single wing portions may project generally away fromone another from surfaces of the towers facing outwardly away from theacceptance opening 54. Regardless of the arrangement of the angled wingportions, once the angled wing portions have been pushed past theshoulder portions 66, the compressive force applied by the shoulderportions 66 is released and the angled wing portions 68 snap back intoplace behind the upper surface of the shoulder portions. In thiscondition, the attachment towers 60 are blocked against removal throughthe window openings 64.

According to one contemplated assembly practice, the base attachmentelement 34 is placed into the roof ditch 10 in overlying relation to arivet acceptance opening (not shown) in the base 20. As shown, the baseattachment element 34 may include an arrangement of flexible tabs 70extending away from opposing lateral sides to aid in avoiding a skewedorientation within the roof ditch. Once the desired position has beenachieved, the base attachment element 34 may be secured in place byriveting or other suitable attachment techniques as may be desired.Thereafter, the strip attachment element 36 with the attached moldingstrip 22 may be pushed downwardly over the aligned attachment towers 60to assume the condition as shown in FIG. 1 in which the spring biasinglegs 52 continuously urge the strip attachment element 36 and theattached molding strip towards a side of the roof ditch away from thespring biasing legs.

While a multi-piece design for the retainer 30 may have a number ofbenefits, a single piece retainer may likewise be used if desired. Byway of example only, an exemplary single piece retainer 130 isillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The single piece retainer 130 may beformed from molded plastic or other suitable material and is adapted toreside within a roof ditch (not shown) as previously described inrelation to the base attachment element 34 in the two-piece design.Specifically, the single piece retainer 130 includes an acceptanceopening 154 adapted to receive a rivet in pass-through relation to anunderlying base of the roof ditch. As shown, in the illustratedconstruction the acceptance opening is of a generally oval shapepositioned such that the major axis of the oval is oriented generallytransverse to the length dimension of the roof ditch. As will bedescribed further hereinafter, such an oval or other elongate openingfacilitates a degree of movement by the retainer 130 across the width ofthe roof ditch following installation.

The illustrated single piece retainer 130 includes an arrangement ofangled clip elements 160 having outwardly projecting noses extendingaway from upper lateral edges. As will be appreciated, a molding strip22 as previously described in relation to FIG. 1 may be press-fit overthe clip elements 160. Specifically, as the edges of the molding strip22 are pressed downwardly against the upper angled surfaces of the clipelements 160, the clip elements flex downwardly and then spring backinto place behind inwardly projecting interior edge surfaces of themolding strip thereby holding the molding strip in place. Stop platforms162 are disposed longitudinally outboard from the clip elements 160generally at each corner of the single piece retainer 130. The stopplatforms 162 are positioned at an elevation slightly below the clipelements 160 and act to limit the downward movement of the moldingstrip.

In the illustrated single piece retainer 130, an elevated positioningpost 166 is disposed at a substantially mid-point location along onelateral side. The positioning post 166 is positioned so as to engage acorresponding positioning slot on the molding strip (not shown) to aidin placement of the single piece retainer at a predefined longitudinalposition along the molding strip.

As shown, spring biasing legs 152 extend away from one lateral side ofthe single piece retainer 130. The spring biasing legs 152 arepositioned at an elevation generally below the adjacent clip elements160 and stop platforms 162. As best seen in FIG. 6, the spring biasinglegs 152 project outwardly a distance exceeding the length of theadjacent clip elements 160 and stop platforms 162. Using thisarrangement, the spring biasing legs 152 engage an opposing sidewall ofthe roof ditch and continuously urge the single piece retainer 130 andany attached molding strip towards the far sidewall. As previouslynoted, the use of an oval, a slot or other elongate geometry rivetacceptance opening 154 facilitates any desired lateral movement of thesingle piece retainer 130 in response to the urging force provided bythe spring biasing legs. Specifically, due to the slightly elongatednature of the rivet acceptance opening 154, a slight lateral slidingadjustment may take place to provide lateral adjustment.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the spring biasing legs152 are in the form of extended leaf springs having upwardly angleddistal edges to facilitate upward bending. However, other bendableconstructions such as extended rods or the like may be used if desired.It is to be understood that the spring biasing legs 152 may be locatedon either side of the single piece retainer 130. Likewise, thepositioning post 166 may be located on either side of the single pieceretainer 130. Thus, the spring biasing legs 152 and the positioning post166 may be on the same side or on different sides from one another asmay be desired. Moreover, the positioning post 166 may be eliminatedentirely if desired. As will be appreciated, the positioning post 166acts in substantially the same manner as the hook tab 46 previouslydescribed in relation to the multi-piece construction so as to positionthe retainer at a defined position along the length of the molding stripin relation to the roof ditch.

In use, the single piece retainer 130 as described may be positionedacross a base portion of a roof ditch and held in place by a rivetconnection. Thereafter, a molding strip 22 (FIG. 1) may be press-fitover the clip elements 160 and held in place. The spring biasing legs152 act against an opposing sidewall of the roof ditch and continuouslyurge the single piece retainer 130 and attached molding strip towards afar sidewall.

As will be appreciated, both the multi-piece retainer 30 and the singlepiece retainer 130 provide a simple mechanism for attachment of amolding strip across a roof ditch. Moreover, such attachment may becarried out by application of a relatively straight pushing forcewithout the need for rolling or sliding action to make the connection.Such straight-line connection by application of a substantially verticalpushing force may simplify the attachment process.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope ofthe present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed anddefined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more ofthe individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/ordrawings. All of these different combinations constitute variousalternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments describedherein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention andwill enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. Theclaims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to theextent permitted by the prior art.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

1. A retainer adapted for disposition within a vehicle roof ditchbetween a first sidewall and a second sidewall and to hold an elongatemolding strip in covering relation to the vehicle roof ditch, theretainer comprising: at least one body portion adapted for dispositionwithin the roof ditch in operative connection to a base portion of theroof ditch, the body portion having a length dimension adapted fororientation along a length segment of the roof ditch between a firstsidewall and a second sidewall, the body portion including anarrangement of molding attachment elements adapted to retainingly engagean underside of the elongate molding strip, the body portion furtherincluding at least one spring biasing leg disposed at an elevation belowthe molding attachment elements, the spring biasing leg extending anoperative length away from one side of the body portion for contacting,in a flexing relation, the first sidewall, such that the spring biasingleg continuously urges the body portion away from the first sidewall andtowards the second sidewall.
 2. The retainer as recited in claim 1,wherein the arrangement of molding attachment elements includes a pairof resilient, flexible curved projections extending in diverging partialarcs away from a first lateral side of the body portion.
 3. The retaineras recited in claim 2, wherein the arrangement of molding attachmentelements further includes a plurality of angled edge projectionsdisposed along a second lateral side of the body portion insubstantially opposing relation to the first lateral side.
 4. Theretainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the arrangement of moldingattachment elements comprises a plurality of angled clip elementsdisposed along upper lateral edges of the body portion.
 5. The retaineras recited in claim 4, wherein the body portion has a substantiallyrectangular box shape, and wherein angled clip elements are disposedadjacent upper corners of the body portion.
 6. The retainer as recitedin claim 1, further including at least one stop platform adapted tolimit downward movement of the molding strip, the stop platformextending outwardly from the body portion at an elevation between themolding attachment elements and the spring biasing leg.
 7. The retaineras recited in claim 6, wherein the stop platform and the spring biasingleg extend away from a common side of the body portion.
 8. The retaineras recited in claim 6, wherein a plurality of stop platforms extend awayfrom opposing lateral sides of the body portion
 9. The retainer asrecited in claim 1, wherein a plurality of spring biasing legs extendaway from one lateral side of the body portion.
 10. The retainer asrecited in claim 9, wherein the spring biasing legs define leaf springshaving upwardly angled distal edges. 11-15. (canceled)
 16. A device,comprising: a single-piece retainer adapted for disposition within avehicle roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall tohold an elongate molding strip in covering relation to the vehicle roofditch, the retainer including: a body portion adapted to be disposedwithin the roof ditch and operatively attached to a base portion of theroof ditch, the body portion being of unitary construction and having alength dimension adapted for orientation along a length segment of theroof ditch between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the bodyportion including an arrangement of molding attachment elements adaptedto engage an underside of the elongate molding strip in snap-fitrelation, the body portion further including at least one spring biasingleg disposed at an elevation below the molding attachment elements, saidat least one spring biasing leg extending an operative length away fromone side of the body portion for contacting, flexing relation with thefirst sidewall, such that said at least one spring biasing legcontinuously urges the body portion away from the first sidewall andtowards the second sidewall.
 17. The retainer as recited in claim 16,wherein the body portion includes a rivet opening adapted for passage ofa rivet between the body portion and the base portion of the roof ditch.18. The retainer as recited in claim 17, wherein the rivet opening is ofan elongate geometry oriented with a major axis transverse to the lengthdimension of the body portion.
 19. The retainer as recited in claim 18,wherein the rivet opening is an oval.
 20. The retainer as recited inclaim 1, further including at least one stop platform adapted to limitdownward movement of the molding strip, the stop platform extendingoutwardly from the body portion at an elevation between a location wherethe molding attachment elements attach to the moulding and the springbiasing leg contacts the first sidewall.
 21. The retainer as recited inclaim 1, further including at least one stop platform adapted to limitdownward movement of the molding strip, the stop platform extending inan elongate manner outwardly from the body portion having an endseparate from an end of all of the spring biasing legs and separate froman end of all molding attachment elements.
 22. The retainer as recitedin claim 6, wherein the stop platform and the spring biasing leg extendaway from a common side of the body portion in a direction at leastabout normal to a longitudinal axis of the at least one body portion.23. The retainer as recited in claim 6, wherein the stop platform andthe spring biasing leg extend away from a common side of the bodyportion in a direction at least about normal to sides of the at leastone body portion
 24. The retainer as recited in claim 6, wherein aplurality of stop platforms extend away from opposing lateral sides ofthe body portion in a direction at least about normal to the respectivelateral sides.
 25. The retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein aplurality of spring biasing legs extend away from one lateral side ofthe body portion in a direction at least about normal to the one lateralside.
 26. The retainer as recited in claim 9, wherein the spring biasinglegs define leaf springs having upwardly angled distal edges that areformed on extensions of the spring biasing legs that extend in at leastabout a normal direction away from a direction of extension of thespring biasing legs.
 27. The retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein theat least one body portion is a monolithic component.
 28. The retainer asrecited in claim 1, wherein the base attachment element is adapted fordisposition within the roof ditch in operative mechanical connection tothe base portion of the roof ditch in an absence of the strip attachmentelement interfacing with the body portion.
 29. The retainer as recitedin claim 1, wherein a lateral side of the body portion opposite alateral side of the body portion from which the spring biasing legextends does not have any spring biasing legs.
 30. The retainer asrecited in claim 29, wherein the body portion is a monolithic component.31. The retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the spring biasing legextends at a substantially orthogonal manner relative to a lateral sideof the body portion when in an undeformed state.
 32. The retainer asrecited in claim 1, wherein the spring biasing leg has a cross-sectionhaving a height that is substantially smaller than a length of thecross-section.
 33. The retainer as recited in claim 16, wherein alateral side of the body portion opposite a lateral side of the bodyportion from which the spring biasing leg extends does not have anyspring biasing legs.
 34. The retainer as recited in claim 33, whereinthe body portion is a monolithic component.
 35. The retainer as recitedin claim 16, wherein the spring biasing leg extends at a substantiallyorthogonal manner relative to a lateral side of the body portion when inan undeformed state.
 36. The retainer as recited in claim 16, whereinthe spring biasing leg has a cross-section having a height that issubstantially smaller than a length of the cross-section.
 37. Theretainer as recited in claim 16, wherein the body portion is adapted fordisposition within the roof ditch in operative mechanical connection toa base portion of the roof ditch.